Chicago Fire Re-sign Defender Gonzalo Segares

CHICAGO, Ill.(Dec. 6, 2012)– The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Thursday that the club has re-signed Costa Rican international defender Gonzalo Segares to a multi-year deal. Per league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We’re pleased that Gonzalo will remain a member of the club,” said Fire President of Soccer Operations Javier Leon. “He has been a tremendous asset to the Fire backline for nearly a decade and has been key to our defensive stability.”

Segares was the Fire’s third round selection (35th overall) in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft after a four-year collegiate career at Virginia Commonwealth University. Segares has played 178 MLS Regular Season games over eight seasons for the Men in Red, scoring 11 goals and adding 13 assists. The 2007 Chicago Fire Defender of the Year, Segares has made 13 postseason appearances for the Fire, scoring the insurance goal in the second leg of the 3-0 win over the New England Revolution Nov. 6, 2008.

Having amassed 207 competitive appearances for the Men in Red, the veteran defender became just the seventh player in club history to surpass the 200 mark with his appearance in a 3-1 win over the Montreal Impact on September 15.

“I’m very happy to continue on as a Fire player,” said Segares. “Chicago is my second home and the Fire have been a big part of my life for a long time. I look forward to more success with the club in the future.”

Segares joined Cypriot club Apollon Limassol on a free transfer in January 2010, where he made 12 appearances, helping Limassol to a third place finish in the 2009-10 Cypriot First Division table before returning to the Fire in August that year.

In 2012, Segares started all 31 games in which he appeared. With three goals and one assist to his credit, Segares was tied with 2012 MLS Rookie of the Year Austin Berry for goals scored by a Fire defender. Segares was a mainstay in the Fire backline that held opponents to just 41 goals, tied for second best in the Eastern Conference.

The San Jose, Costa Rica native made his international debut in an international friendly against Honduras Sept. 9, 2007 and has since earned 19 caps for los Ticos.